---
title: "Auto Theft Reduction"
type: "pdf"
year: "2008"
canonical: "/projects/468"
---

Dear Committee Members,
I am proud to present to you the Glen Ridge Police Department's application for the distinguished Goldstein Award.
Glen Ridge is an Urban - Suburban Community, of 1.3 square miles, we are 16 miles West of New York City (Manhattan). Within our jurisdiction, we have neighboring communities that have many more times the crime rate than we experience. The 2000 U.S. Census reported a population of 7,762 residents in Glen Ridge. The area is largely a residential community, and approximately $5 \%$ commercial property.
The Glen Ridge Police Department began to seriously address and combat high Auto Theft after reviewing our Uniform Crime Reports during 2003. During this time the Glen Ridge experienced twice the number of auto thefts from 2002. Auto theft was a problem seen throughout the County of Essex in Northern New Jersey. The department staff, met to determine how we were to attack this issue. We knew that we were not going to increase the size of our 26 -member department, we had to reach out to the community for their support. On the Education front - our crime prevention officers appeared at luncheons for local civic groups and senior organizations, we made use of the local cable network (channel 36) and our Borough website. The patrol Division confiscated a vehicle (Toyota - Camry) we outfitted it with low profile lights and siren with forfeiture funds. The Patrol Officer's would supplement the tour with operating the Toyota while in plain clothes.
Additionally, we called in the Essex-Union Counties Auto Theft Task Force (ATTF) to assist us during the evening. This Unit is made up of a bi-county initiative, departments from both counties loan officers to the Task Force. The ATTF is comprised of roughly 20 officers from individual departments, trained to combat auto theft from an arrest and recovery concept.
We tracked our data and we targeted the days that have been prone the auto thefts, our overall results ended with a $46 \%$ decline in auto theft, Suspicious Persons and Vehicles increased by $31 \%$.

The Glen Ridge Police Department is a service-oriented department, we have always strived to work closely with our residents and the local merchants. Our Officers are made aware that like any corporation, we too have a product to offer, and that product is Service to the Community.

In the famed classic play A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Jacob Morley, visits his old friend Ebenezer Scrooge the main character in the story. "Old Morley was as dead as a door-nail," and as a spirit was destined to walk a condemned life. At a time when Morley tries to change the ways of Scrooge, the ghost of Morley cries out "Business! Mankind was my business..." Precisely, it is this thought that this department has embraced as we embrace our community policing efforts. We are here to serve the residents, merchants and visitors to our Borough. Our efforts to maintain a safe community can only be fully accomplished with the cooperation of these persons. In order to develop a working relationship with our business owners, the department first sent the Uniform Division Lieutenant out to introduce himself and explain the function of our department. Some of our services are offered through the Detective Bureau-Crime Prevention Unit and others through the Uniform Patrol Division. The department explains the Borough Ordinances that are enforced, and explains the penalties for failures to comply. It is our belief that an informed citizen and merchant will become a better neighbor. As a follow-up to the Patrol Lieutenant, our Detective Bureau Crime Prevention Unit will visit a business and again offer the services of the department, such as speaking engagements for staff, inspections to prevent intrusion, money escorts, vacancy checks, emergency key file located at headquarters and more. All of theses are listed on our web-site.
Our Patrol Officers are encourages to stop are local parks and sporting events to speak to residents and find out what their concerns may be. We have an internet web site that has a web survey for any comments a person may have. It may range from comments about being stopped for a speeding ticket and how they were treated to suggestion to improve our crossing guards.

Additionally, we offer other programs such as Combat Auto Theft (CAT) by registering your car with the police department, the owner applies a CAT sticker to the rear window. The owner waives his rights to probable cause, and allows the car to be stopped past a certain hour early in the morning.

The department has been meeting with organized neighborhoods talking about their concerns form speeding vehicles to auto theft. Our simple message to the residents is "lock your car." New technology has allowed the department to track information and report back to these groups in a timely manner. The use of the Glen Ridge web page has opened a new door for the department as well. Residents are able to receive e-mail from the department or may contact command personnel by clicking on their names, our web site is full of information and still growing. Please visit us at www.glenridgenj.org.

We operate a web-based e-mail Crime Prevention Notice to any subscriber it is a police generated notice explaining recent crime activity. Subscribers are alerted to the method of the crime and the actors involved. Again, we believe that an informed public is our best asset to fighting crime. Persons that do not receive our message can read about the alert on the bulletin board at the community center, located at the train station.

To enhance our partnerships we take advantage of National Night Out in a way that is exception to Glen Ridge. We have a number of organized block parties, starting a 6:00PM the Police Department travels from party to party and speaks to each group. There are approximately six officers attending, the Chief, Captain, Lieutenant, Sergeants, Detectives and McGruff the Crime Fighting Dog. We offer a presentation about crime, particular to that area of town and answer any questions or concerns. It is a time to be intimate with the residents, hand out toys to the children and promote awareness. Once our department identifies a problem or a trend we begin to being the matter to the attention of the public.

We have learned that a small agency can take on a big problem, we need to get the residents and merchants more involved. We need to teach the public how to see crime the way we do. It is unfortunate, but a reality. It is a positive experience working with the residents, letting them know our limitations. So many people see too much television and expect so much. Yet, it is contrary to real life, that you cannot solve a crime in one hour. It is the same issue across the county, the difference is whether you have more or less crime.

I have included a copy of our analysis sheet and a graph of our progress.
Thank you for the opportunity to apply for such a prestigious award.
Respectfully,
John R. Magnier /s/
John R. Magnier
Chief of Police

|  8 | 151 |  |  |  |  |  |   |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  7 | 149 |  |  |  |  | 1998 |   |
|  6 | 140 |  |  |  |  | 1997 |   |
|  5 | 176 |  |  |  |  | 1996 |   |
|  4 | 137 |  |  |  |  | 1995 |   |
|  3 | 1999 |  |  |  |  | 1994 |   |
|  2 | 204 |  |  |  |  | 1993 |   |
|  1 | 215 |  |  |  |  | 1992 |   |
|   | 500 |  | 1000 |  | 1500 | 2000 | 2500  |
|   | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7  |
|  #REF! | 1 |  |  |  |  |  |   |
|  #REF! | 1 |  |  |  |  |  |   |
|  Arson | 0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0  |
|  Motor Vehicle Theft | 38 | 30 | 34 | 31 | 39 | 48 | 44  |
|  Larceny | 215 | 204 | 199 | 137 | 176 | 140 | 149  |
|  Burglary | 76 | 58 | 151 | 118 | 87 | 72 | 78  |
|  Agg. Assault | 2 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 6  |
|  Robbery | 11 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 14 | 8  |
|  Rape | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1  |
|  Murder | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0  |
|  |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
|  1 | 1001 | 1000 | 1000 | 1001 | 1005 | 1000 | 1007  |

![img-0.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/08-10/img-0.jpeg)

# Crime in Glen Ridge, New Jersey

# Table of Contents

- [Crime in Glen Ridge, New Jersey](#crime-in-glen-ridge-new-jersey)
  - [Presentations](#presentations)
- [Glen Ridge Police Department](#glen-ridge-police-department)
  - [John R. Magnier, Chief of Police/Director of Public Safety](#john-r-magnier-chief-of-policedirector-of-public-safety)
    - [Uniform Crime Reporting](#uniform-crime-reporting)
- [Glen Ridge Police Department](#glen-ridge-police-department)
  - [UCR Reporting](#ucr-reporting)
    - [Total Part 1 Offenses](#total-part-1-offenses)
  - [**Total Part 1 Offenses**](#total-part-1-offenses)
- [Glen Ridge Department of Public Safety](#glen-ridge-department-of-public-safety)
  - [John R. Magnier Chief of Police/Director of Public Safety](#john-r-magnier-chief-of-policedirector-of-public-safety)
    - [2006 Annual Report](#2006-annual-report)
- [History of Part 1 Offenses](#history-of-part-1-offenses)

## Presentations

- **1991**: 1992
- **1993**: 1994
- **1995**: 1996
- **1997**: 1998
- **1999**: 1999
- **2000**: 2001
- **2002**: 2002
- **2003**: 2003

*Presented to the Public Safety Committee November 8, 2004*

*John R. Magnier Chief of Police/Director of Public Safety*

# Glen Ridge Police Department

## John R. Magnier, Chief of Police/Director of Public Safety

### Uniform Crime Reporting

#### Total Part 1 Offenses Committed

![img-1.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/08-10/img-1.jpeg)

# Glen Ridge Police Department
## UCR Reporting
### Total Part 1 Offenses
#### Chief John R. Magnier

## **Total Part 1 Offenses**

![img-2.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/08-10/img-2.jpeg)

# Glen Ridge Department of Public Safety

## John R. Magnier Chief of Police/Director of Public Safety

### 2006 Annual Report

![img-3.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/08-10/img-3.jpeg)

# History of Part 1 Offenses

![img-4.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/08-10/img-4.jpeg)

History of Part 1 Offenses from 1991 - 2007
(Inclusive of murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, larceny, auto theft, arson)
![img-5.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/08-10/img-5.jpeg)

Glen Ridge Police Department
Glen Ridge, New Jersey 07028
Chief John R. Magnier
Auto Theft

![img-6.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/08-10/img-6.jpeg)

|  UCR Reports | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  Murder | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0  |
|  Rape | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0  |
|  Robbery | 11 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 14 | 8 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 7  |
|  Agg. Assault | 2 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 16 | 19  |
|  Burglary | 76 | 58 | 151 | 118 | 87 | 72 | 78 | 56 | 36 | 63 | 78 | 63 | 47 | 53 | 46 | 45 | 23  |
|  Larceny | 215 | 204 | 199 | 137 | 176 | 140 | 149 | 151 | 202 | 128 | 154 | 165 | 211 | 179 | 166 | 155 | 117  |
|  Motor Vehicle Theft | 38 | 30 | 34 | 31 | 39 | 48 | 44 | 33 | 38 | 19 | 61 | 32 | 61 | 33 | 34 | 11 | 12  |
|  Arson | 0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0  |
|  Part 1 Offenses | 342 | 310 | 401 | 303 | 312 | 279 | 286 | 255 | 284 | 213 | 309 | 270 | 336 | 282 | 264 | 233 | 178  |
|  Violent Crimine per 1,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1.2 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 2.3 | 3 | 2.9 |  |  |   |

|  Part 1 Offenses | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  Murder | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0  |
|  Rape | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0  |
|  Robbery | 0 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7  |
|  Agg. Assault | 1 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 16 | 19  |
|  Burglary | 63 | 78 | 63 | 47 | 53 | 46 | 45 | 23  |
|  Larceny | 128 | 154 | 165 | 193 | 175 | 166 | 155 | 117  |
|  Motor Vehicle Theft | 19 | 61 | 32 | 60 | 33 | 34 | 11 | 12  |
|  Arson | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0  |
|  Part 1 Offenses | 213 | 309 | 270 | 323 | 292 | 264 | 233 | 178  |
|  Violent Crime per 1,000 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 2.3 | 3 | 2.9 | TBA |  |   |

|  Part 1 Offenses | 2006 | 2007 | Change  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  Murder | 0 | 0 | 0%  |
|  Rape | 2 | 0 | 0  |
|  Robbery | 2 | 7 |   |
|  Agg. Assault | 16 | 19 |   |
|  Burglary | 45 | 23 |   |
|  Larceny | 155 | 117 |   |
|  Motor Vehicle Theft | 11 | 12 |   |
|  Arson | 1 | 0 |   |

![img-7.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/08-10/img-7.jpeg)

|  Part 1 Offenses | 2005 | 2006  |
| --- | --- | --- |
|  |   |   |
|  Murder | 1 | 0  |
|  Rape | 2 | 2  |
|  Robbery | 2 | 2  |
|  Agg. Assault | 11 | 16  |
|  Burglary | 46 | 45  |
|  Larceny | 166 | 155  |
|  Motor Vehicle Theft | 34 | 11  |
|  Arson | 2 | 1  |
|  Total Offenses | 264 | 232  |

| Change |
| -100% |  |
| 0% |  |
| 0% |  |
| 31% |  |
| -2% |  |
| -7% |  |
| -68% |  |
| -100% |  |
| -14% |  |